Indian players casual after WC success: Gavaskar

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar feels that some Indian players have become very "casual" after the team's success in the 2011 World Cup.

Asked about the reasons for India's poor showing in the last 18 months, he said: "After the success of 2011 World Cup, the attitude of some of the players became too casual. They started behaving as if the nation owes it to them for winning World Cup, which is less than acceptable."

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The legendary opener, when asked by NDTV whether the Board of Control for Cricket in India needs to do away with coach Duncan Fletcher, he replied, "I support (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni when he says that the coach can't get out there and score the runs.

"But, yes, I would look if the attitude is too lacklustre or lackadaisical.

"In EPL or in La Liga, if a team continues to lose then the coach or the manager gets the boot."

Gavaskar agreed that Dhoni was pro-active on the field during the last two days of the fourth Test.

"I think so. MSD knows that they have to be pro-active. I believe that things are changing, but I hope it's not too late."

He agreed that it is because of consistent failures of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag that India haven't been able to put up big scores.

Asked about Tendulkar's dismissal in the fourth Test, Gavaskar retorted: "What about Sehwag's dismissal?"

He felt the Indian players should learn from England's debutant Joe Root who showed enormous patience.

"Look at their newcomer. He formed partnerships with (Matt) Prior and (Graeme) Swann. If you ask me, this is not a difficult wicket to bat on, but certainly difficult to score. The ball is not doing anything out of the ordinary and you can stay on this track. But since it's not coming on to the bat and boundaries are big, you have to score in one's and two's. The problem with India is not being able to put up too many partnerships."